Author: Alan Ashworth

Paul Westerberg and Co with a heartfelt tribute to their great inspiration, the big star of Big Star, on their 1987 album Pleased to Meet Me. Alex himself actually plays … Continue readingThe Replacements: Alex Chilton

Title track from his 2008 album finding the great JB still in fine voice at the age of 60.

Highlight of their debut album The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack. I’m researching Keith Emerson for forthcoming columns and great fun it is, too.

It’s not every day we feature a piano solo by an Ethiopian nun. From the album Ethiopiques 21, which I play a lot. Sort of Erik Satie meets Scott Joplin. … Continue readingEmahoy Tsegue-Maryam Guebrou: The Song of the Sea

Gentle, relaxing sounds for a Sunday morning in March.

Brilliant clip from the recent Colorado album, featuring the great Nils Lofgren with Old Shakey for the first time in decades.

Excellent track from his eponymous 1972 solo album, even if he does look a bit Fotherington-Thomas (hello birds, hello sky!) on the cover.

I’ve always enjoyed the non-rhyming couplet: Two of us got wasted tonight on the jobOne lost his liquor and the other lost his hand Here’s a live version of the … Continue readingJohn Cale: Gun

One of many radically different versions by the Junks of the Lou Reed classic, the first of which appeared on their 1988 album The Trinity Session. This one starts with … Continue readingCowboy Junkies: Sweet Jane